Ride-share service starts in Baton Rouge

Getting around Baton Rouge on a Friday night may get easier. The well-known ride share app 'Uber' is now here. Instead of waiting on a taxi, through an app on your smart phone you can schedule an ordinary person to give you a ride; in his or her own vehicle. William Merseal is an Uber driver. He believes this new service will change life in Baton Rouge.

“When people are out and have had a couple of drinks, they are not going to wait 45 minutes to an hour for a cab,” said Merseal. “The more drives we have the better, because people are going to have the opportunity to pick somebody up within four to five minutes.”

Merseal said each driver goes through a full background check, vehicle inspection, and there is no cash involved

“Drivers don't have a lot of cash on them, meaning that you don't have to tip the driver,” explained Merseal. “All of that is included. It’s just a click and you’re done.”

That last text was sent September 19, half a day before Maria slammed into Puerto Rico. A week later, Jennifer's family in Louisiana is desperate to know what happened. The U.S. Coast Guard and the FBI are now looking for the missing boat.

That last text was sent September 19, half a day before Maria slammed into Puerto Rico. A week later, Jennifer's family in Louisiana is desperate to know what happened. The U.S. Coast Guard and the FBI are now looking for the missing boat.